Author Topic: Re: Matt's NY Pizzeria Visits (Read 19750 times)

foreplease · « **Reply #200 on:** May 28, 2022, 05:27:04 AM »

Quote from: jkb on May 27, 2022, 05:06:22 PM

I remember when all straws were paper.

So can I. I think I liked them better.

hammettjr · « **Reply #201 on:** January 12, 2023, 02:01:23 PM »

Mama's Too

Wow! I've never had anything like the square. (Admittedly I don't eat that many squares, but still.)

It had a monster crunch. Normally I'm anti-crunch, but this was different. Not dry, not overcooked, not charred, just pure blissful crunch.

Yet, on top of that crunch was extraordinary layers of soft, creamy, pillowy goodness. Not sure how else to describe it.

Flavorwise, it was clear they put the time, effort and money into it. The Vodka sauce was different than what I've had previously. And the parm was excellent. Only thing I could do without was the basil. Nothing wrong with it, but not needed and had a salad-like texture.

Given my obsession (which may be slowly fading

) with the NY street slice, I had to try their house slice too. It was quite good, but bottom line, if you're going to Mama's Too, don't spend any of your appetite on it. The squares are just too good.

I'm looking forward to getting back there. I'm almost compelled try every square on the menu.

(Edited to upload photos.)

scott r · « **Reply #202 on:** January 12, 2023, 02:06:36 PM »

Its my #1 NY pizza destination, and I have been everywhere.

And yes you DO want to try every square... they are all amazing.

quietdesperation · « **Reply #203 on:** January 12, 2023, 02:10:07 PM »

let me know when you’ want to go back, we can order one of every square!

hammettjr · « **Reply #204 on:** January 12, 2023, 02:36:13 PM »

Quote from: scott r on January 12, 2023, 02:06:36 PM

Its my #1 NY pizza destination, and I have been everywhere.

And yes you DO want to try every square... they are all amazing.

You guys weren't kidding, this place is no joke!

hammettjr · « **Reply #205 on:** January 12, 2023, 02:36:29 PM »

Quote from: quietdesperation on January 12, 2023, 02:10:07 PM

let me know when you’ want to go back, we can order one of every square!

Sounds good, that'd be epic!

quietdesperation · « **Reply #206 on:** January 12, 2023, 02:40:34 PM »

duirng the pandemic our standard new year's eve order was two mama's pies, while they were baking, I'd walk to koko wings for 20 takeout korean wings. I miss the uws!

quietdesperation · « **Reply #207 on:** January 12, 2023, 03:15:45 PM »

Quote from: hammettjr on January 12, 2023, 02:36:29 PM

Sounds good, that'd be epic!

we can have dessert at sal and carmines!

9slicePie · « **Reply #208 on:** January 12, 2023, 03:23:44 PM »

Quote from: hammettjr on January 12, 2023, 02:01:23 PM

Mama's Too

Wow! I've never had anything like the square. (Admittedly I don't eat that many squares, but still.)

It had a monster crunch. Normally I'm anti-crunch, but this was different. Not dry, not overcooked, not charred, just pure blissful crunch.

Yet, on top of that crunch was extraordinary layers of soft, creamy, pillowy goodness. Not sure how else to describe it.

Flavorwise, it was clear they put the time, effort and money into it. The Vodka sauce was different than what I've had previously. And the parm was excellent. Only thing I could do without was the basil. Nothing wrong with it, but not needed and had a salad-like texture.

Given my obsession (which may be slowly fading ) with the NY street slice, I had to try their house slice too. It was quite good, but bottom line, if you're going to Mama's Too, don't spend any of you're appetite on it. The squares are just too good.

I'm looking forward to getting back there. I'm almost compelled try every square on the menu.

(Edited to upload photos.)

That pizza looks spectacular! And THANK YOU for posting a pic of the undercrust of the square slice.

And regarding the bolded portion of your post: don't be ridiculous

Jon in Albany · « **Reply #209 on:** January 12, 2023, 06:16:15 PM »

Those squares were hauntingly good. Would love to get there on a Wednesday for a sandwich special too. Those sandwiches all look good, but some look insane.

hammettjr · « **Reply #210 on:** January 12, 2023, 09:04:53 PM »

How does Mama's Too compare to L&B? Only time I had L&B it was delivered to Manhattan which didn't work too well. I'm guessing it doesn't have the same crunch, but I suspect it may be creamy in the middle?

scott r · « **Reply #211 on:** January 12, 2023, 09:16:15 PM »

They are really different. I like L&B a lot but to me there is no comparison in the quality of the ingredients used at mamas too, the recipes for the various sauces, the topping combinations, and the crust.

L&B is very very soft... almost like a wonder bread crumb structure but with a normal amount of crisp. Toppings are standard fare that you can find anywhere decent in the area. Mamas too crust is shatteringly crisp yielding to fluffy light open focaccia type crumb and every toping and topping combination is a total flavor BOMB.

foreplease · « **Reply #212 on:** January 13, 2023, 09:05:18 AM »

Quote from: scott r on January 12, 2023, 02:06:36 PM

Its my #1 NY pizza destination, and I have been everywhere.

And yes you DO want to try every square... they are all amazing.

You and Johnny Cash! And I hold you both in high regard.

scott r · « **Reply #213 on:** January 13, 2023, 09:46:38 AM »

Such a great song!!!

To continue to gush about Mamas Too... Along with that incredible square crust...how many pizzerias do we know that braise their sausage in red wine and saute their mushrooms in white wine, add smoked cheese to their vodka sauce, and spread roasted garlic oil on top of the crust before the cheese goes on. I feel like they have upped the bar for NY pizza toppings.

hammettjr · « **Reply #214 on:** March 25, 2023, 02:23:24 PM »

Rubirosa

A family morning at the Slime (Sloomoo) Institute left us a short walk to Rubirosa.

Awesome place, definitely recommend it. The pizza is very thin and mostly crispy. And the sauces were super.

An 18" "Classic" (aged mozz and sauce) and a 14" half Vodka, half Tie Dye (vodka+red sauce+pesto) both with fresh mozz.

Everything was great, as I said all the sauces were flavorful. Even the classic pie, which seemed like tomato and salt was flavorful.

If I go again I'd do half Vodka, half Tie Dye again. And ideally a pasta dish to split as an appetizer like the table next to us did (though my wife and daughter agreed on mozz sticks and garlic knots before I recognized that opportunity).

My photos are mediocre given the lighting and angle I had. But loads of good pics online.

hammettjr · « **Reply #215 on:** March 25, 2023, 05:13:35 PM »

Ok, I want to combine my last 2 pizzeria visits above and put the Tie Dye top on a Mama's Too crust. (It's not a radical idea given I had a vodka slice at Mama's, but the tomato sauce will reduce the richness a bit, and the pesto will provide the freshness without the salady basil texture I complained about.)

Question - if I'm doing a 20 minute bake with the sauce on top of the cheese, do I need to thin the sauces? If yes, should I just add a touch of water to the crushed tomatoes I've been using (Mutti)? Or maybe I should switch to whole peeled, or ideally a mix of whole peeled and crushed, but that may be more than I'm looking to do tomorrow.

hammettjr · « **Reply #216 on:** March 25, 2023, 08:32:37 PM »

For future reference, according to Gold Belly, below are the Tie Dye ingredients:

quietdesperation · « **Reply #217 on:** March 25, 2023, 08:45:57 PM »

i think rubirosa vodka was on harry’s top ten. are you keeping track?

hammettjr · « **Reply #218 on:** March 25, 2023, 08:59:04 PM »

Quote from: quietdesperation on March 25, 2023, 08:45:57 PM

i think rubirosa vodka was on harry’s top ten. are you keeping track?

I think you're correct. Any idea where his top list is posted? I'm not sure the search feature works on his posts, even a basic search without his name.

quietdesperation · « **Reply #219 on:** March 25, 2023, 09:25:36 PM »

Quote from: hammettjr on March 25, 2023, 08:59:04 PM

I think you're correct. Any idea where his top list is posted? I'm not sure the search feature works on his posts, even a basic search without his name.

here you go:
https://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php?topic=51997.msg550452#msg550452